Blasting method and apparatus



Nov. 8, 1932. c. E. KARSTRQM BLASTING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Oct. 7, 1929 Patented Nov. 8, 1932 UNITED s'mias PATENT OFFCE v CHARLES E. KARSTROM, OIE BARRINGTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 SAFETY MINING COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION BLASTING METHOD AND APPARATUS i Application led October 7, 1929. Serial No.. 397,888.

The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for blasting. The invention is particularly adapted for blasting coal but may be readily applied to other uses.

The object of the invention is to provide a method of and apparatus for blasting by means of which an improved productl may be produced.

Another object is to provide a method and means whereby the improved product may be readily distinguished from the products of other methods.

A further object is to provide a method of and apparatus whereby the safety factor is increased.

In the drawing,

Figures 1 and 1A are complemental views in longitudinal section showing a complete blasting cartridge embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a view in transverse section taken on line 2 2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective View. y The structure shown in the accompanying drawing is to be understood as merely illustrative of one form of blasting means with which the present invention may be used. It will be apparent as the description proceeds that the essential characteristics of the present invention may be put into practice in connection with any form of blasting means known to the art. It has been deemed adj visable to illustrate the invention in connection with some one forni of blasting device in order that its operation might be more clearly understood and for this purpose there is shown herein a blasting cartridge of the rechargeable type in which an expansible gas is employed as the blasting medium.

The cartridge illustrated in general consists of a metallic body of substantially cylindrical form within which is formed a gas chamber of suitable proportion which is indicated by the numeral 2. The open end of" the cartridge is adapted to be closed andk sealed by a pressure responsive rupturable disc 3 which is secured in place by a shear ring 4 and a discharge cap 5. In the opposite end of the cartridge therel is positioned an electrode 6 which is completely insulated from the body of the cartridge. A valve 7 cooperates with the outer end of the electrode for controlling the charging of the cartridge with gas through a suitably formed passage in the electrode. The outer end of the electrode and valve are protected by a cap 8 in the end of which is positioned a pair of binding posts or terminals 9 and 10. One of these terminals such as 9 is in direct electrical connection with the cap 8 and consequently with the cartridge body. The other terminal is insulated from the cap 8, but has electrical connection with the electrode 6 through the medium of a metallic coil spring '10. The end of the electrode within gas chamber 2 is provided with a heater lsupport 11 within which an electric energizable heat producing unit 12 may be positioned. This heater unit extends between and has electrical connection at its opposite ends with the rupturable disc 3 and the electrode 6 respectively. Thus, there is provided a complete circuit irom terminal 10 through the electrode, heater,

.rupturabledisc and hence through the shell body back to the terminal 9. In practice, the chamber 2 is filled with a compressed gas and when the cartridge is in position to be discharged the terminals 9 and 10 may be connected with a suitable source of electricity, which when rendered active will pass current through the heater unit 12, thus energizing the heater and causing expansion of the confined gas to the point where the pressure within the cartridge is sufficient to rupture the dise 3. The gas is then released from the cartridge and passes into the chamber 13 formed in the discharge cap and thence outwardly through a plurality of radial ports into the surrounding medium which is to be blasted. The present invention is concerned primarily with the chemical treatment of coal as an incident to the blasting operation and for this purpose the invention contemplates the association with a blasting charge of a suitable chemical capable of entrainment with the gases evolved by the discharge of the blasting medium and with treatment of the coal into contact with which it is brought by the gases. This treatment consists of a medium capable of substantially allaying the dust, a medium capable of imparting to the such coal treating mediums, either singly or connection with in combination, but in any case in connection with av blasting device. Specifically, the 1nvention comprehends the use of any hygro- U scopic material in association with a blasting medium in such a way that the material will be disseminated throughout the coal brought down by the blast and will serve to allay a major portion of the dust caused by the blast.

Either sodium or calciumchloride or chlorate may be used tor this purpose. The invention also comprehends the use of a suitable coloring pigment in association With a blasting device in such a way that the pigment will be disseminated throughout the coal brought down by the blast and impart a distinctive marking thereto. Among the coloring pigments suitable for this purpose are red ochre, iron oxide and slacked lime. A suitable hygroscopic material such as calcium chloride may be. combined with a coloring pigment such as red ochre and these two substances placed in a fragile container and in this form associated with a blasting device in order that the functions of dust settling, flame or spark quenching and distinctly marking the coal may be accomplished by a single medium.

In the drawing there is shown a rupturableI container 14 which may be formed of light sheet metal or of paper. This container as shown is adapted to be inserted in the discharge cap of lthe blasting cartridge and may be filled with any one or more of the chemical materials herein referred to. Thus, it will be appreciated that when the cartridge is discharged the escaping gas will readily understood that the present invention contemplates the application of the ideas herein disclosed to the blasting of materials other than coal, although it no1 appears that the greatest utility of a means for distinctively marking the products of blasting is in connection with coal mining.

I claim:

1. The method of blasting which comprises inserting into a drill hole a blasting medium and a quantity of a coloring substance suicient to impart a. distinctive marking to the material broken down by the blast, and thereafter effecting discharge of said blastin medium, whereby said substance is entraine with the gases evolved by the discharge and disseminated throughout the material broken down by the blast.

2. The method of 4blasting which comprises discharging a blasting means in the presence of a chemical compound consisting of a quantity of a hygroscopic material suicient to substantially allay the dust caused by the discharge and a quantity of a coloring subst ance sufficient to impart a distinctive mark- 9o to the material brought down by the ast.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 3rd day of October, 1929. i i

CHARLES E. KARSTROM.

rupture the container 14 and the material--. YYYY 4f?" discharged gas and disseminated throughout the coal brought down by the blast. In this Way a single cartridge is capable of bringing down the coal, allaying the dust and imparting a distinctive. marking to the coal such that it may be subsequently recognized as a product of a particular mine or a particular method or means of blasting. Also, the chemical or chemicals Will serve to a substantial extent to mask and extinguish Whatever spark or ame may be given off by the blasting device.

It is to be understood that the essential features of this invention may be used in all forms of blasting mediums. For instance, it Will be appreciated that a container of any suitable form, such for instance, as the cylindrical container 14 herein shown, may be placed in a bore hole in proximity to a blasting charge of black powder, dynamite or any other known blasting substance. It is also to be 

